Elderly Uncle - register as vulnerable?

[KindnessIsKey123]

Hi, I hope this is the right forum, I am looking for some advice. I have an uncle who is my mother‘s only sibling- aged 74. He is partially disabled, was able to work all his life in what I would call a ‘protected’ role, has some dyslexia, and his disability affects one side of his body, noticeably his hand so he might struggle for example with cutting meat or with a mobile phone. He’s ok on a computer typing with one hand.

He’s now 74 and has had a stormy medical period over the past six months with bladder & prostate problems. He’s awaiting surgery.

He lived all his life with my windowed Nana until she passed away and he continued to live in the house. Until he was about age 55 he’d never had to take responsibility for laundry, bills and cleaning etc.

Because of his difficult medical period, lots of UTIs etc, he is struggling with online banking, online bills, and various other things. I think it’s all just a bit much for him.

My brother went to his house a few weeks ago and although the Cleaner was meant to have come, it was a tip. My brother saw some bills and it appears he’s paying around £200 per month for a sky tv plus other large bills.

I’m sure I saw Martin Lewis discussing that you can register people as vulnerable with for example the water board. Does anybody know anything about this? I live two hours away in Work full-time. My mum is now disabled and is on the memory list potentially with dementia, my dad is her full-time carer, so it’s to me and my brother to sort out. Any advice? I’m wondering if I just have to drive 2 1/2 hours home and go through his study.

Yes just ring the water company. Things They can do include

Bottled water delivery if the supply fails
Alternative supply if on dialysis
Large print/braille bills.
Special tariffs due to disability

The other utilities may have similar.

Do you have power of attorney?

I am registered in this way with water and elec companies cos of my disabilities. It's worth doing.

Thank you that is really helpful. I don’t think we are there yet in terms of power-of-attorney. It’s at least another five years, he is completely compos mentis . His house is in Trust for him to have the lifetime benefit of, with myself and my brother as trustees, this was done years ago. I’ll be contacting the water board etc thank you for your reply.

Look up the Priority Services Register. It's easy to register online.

You need to do Power of Attorney now while he is compos mentis and he has the capacity to agree. Once he loses capacity, he loses the ability to consent to the PoA and you can’t apply. You don’t have to use it but it’s very useful to have in place as early as you can.

This is actually good advice for everyone, not just people who are vulnerable. When you get it, it lasts forever. You can have more than one person with PoA and you can stipulate whether decisions have to be made jointly or not. It’s the most useful way of assisting someone with their affairs and well worth doing. The online forms are straightforward and you can do it yourself without a solicitor.

Yes was going to say exactly this. Needs to be done now while he does have capacity. It only enables you to make decisions on their behalf once they are deemed as not having capacity anyway so it won't change anything for your uncle- other than showing to organisations that you can advocate for your uncle.

Thank you everyone, extremely helpful, I will get on the task of PoA

Definitely sort Power of Attorney now. Once it's registered (this only applies to the Finance one), the attorney can handle administrative tasks for the donor with their permission while they still have capacity. Very useful for elderly people who struggle with Internet banking - the attorney can do all that for them but according to their instructions.

This has proved invaluable with my Mum, as we have been able to gradually increase how much we do for her without any fuss.

You want to get PoA sorted NOW while he is compos mentis. You may not have to put it into action for years, but don't wait until then please. And do both financial and health.

Also, registering as a vulnerable customer with the utility companies is one thing, but that's not going to sort out subscriptions that he may be signed up to unnecessarily. That's something you'll probably have to do for him in person. Good luck.

Also the financial power of attorney can be used with his permission before he looses capacity. If he'd like you to help with managing utilities or banking now, you'd be able to act on his behalf as and when he asked you to, so long as you register the POA with each company/institution.

Apply here for health & wealth

Do it now & you will have it ready for the future

Just need a witness & pay

www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

You could apply for this for your DUncle

It is not means tested
Can spend on anything

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance